Jackie was pumped up and ready for her three day stay in Atlantic City. She had never been and could hardly wait to gamble, drink, and just have a good time with her best friend Prue. The two had planned for years to hit the hot New Jersey spot, but life always got in the way. Dysfunctional boyfriends, runaway dogs, bosses made of jerky, and too much time at the gym made it nearly impossible for the duo to even have dinner together. It was amazing how they still managed to squeeze in a weekly call. This is what they told anyone who asked anyway; it was always beneficial to have a “before” story in their line of work. They always needed alibis, just in case. The truth is they were in constant contact, usually from a prepaid phone, since any other type of phone could be tapped, and that would be lethal to their operations.
“Jackie, do we have everything?” Prue asked, still stuffing multiple pieces of lingerie into her overnight bag.
“Yeah, but what’s with that bag of whoredom you’re packing?” Jackie chuckled. Prue was always packing based upon her hopes.
“A girl has to be ready for the unexpected.”
“It’s not unexpected when you pack up all of Victoria’s Secret! Take one so you have enough room for all the money we’ll win on the slots. You know your wallet’s gonna burn if you don’t do some spending while we’re there!”
Prue stopped for a moment, still holding the white lace trimmed lavender colored corset and garter set in her hand, her eyes swaying like a pendulum from the overstuffed bag of goodies to the contents of her hand. Finally, she looked back at Jackie.
“You’re right; I probably won’t even have time to meet a guy. Let’s roll.” There was a hint of disappointment in Prue’s voice. It was the tone of a young woman who wasn’t sure if Mr. Right was really Mr. In-Your-Dreams. She was this close to giving up on love. She wondered if being easy was really the best method for scoring a decent husband. Sometimes it was just better to have lovers; it made things less complicated and didn’t involve the need for her to reveal what she did for living. It was hard, this way of life, to have any true normalcy. Getting close to anyone could be the final nail in the coffin.
Jackie slowly placed her hand on Prue’s back. “Prue, don’t worry about guys! We have to stay focused on the target–can’t risk blowing another mission, so relax and forget about love. Who needs it anyway?”
Jacqueline Kai and Prudence Soto were both students in The Women’s Academy for Corporal Enforcement, a division of the junior officer training program. Both were selected on the merit of their own fathers who are active CIA agents in addition to their scores on the CIA entrance and exit exams. The agency desired more assistance from female operatives, so Jackie and Prue were sought out six years ago after they graduated from high school. The problem was, however, that Jackie and Prue were only focused on having trips and playing with guns more than the obligation of the law. The two barely made it through the four and a half years of training at the academy, always partying hard and studying just enough to get by. Both had slender figures, Jackie a size four and Prue a size six, which founded their concept of physical training as a total waste of their time. Despite their lack of wanting justice to be served, the CIA saw potential in the duo, assuming that with the inherited abilities of their father’s, a little polishing and successful partnerships, the two slackers would become valuable assets to the agency .
After many failed partnerships the girls underwent, they were brought together as a last resort. Many of their previous partners complained about the girls’ lack of seriousness and commitment to serve justice, how a stake out would result in a failed arrest due to offbeat circumstances, like wanting to catch a movie or hit the bar instead. It was too risky to let the girls into the civilian world with all the knowledge they possessed from the CIA and WACE. Normally such incompetent employees were forced to push papers all day in a cubicle, but those slots were full, and the demand for assistance in the field had become greater. Jackie and Prue became hired hands for the CIA, only being given simple tasks, like taking down criminals with low threat levels, mostly small time drug cartels and money launderers. This was their first assignment as a team together; the job involved tracking and terminating Roana Torres-Gonzalez, a small time drug lord who had big influence in Mexico City.
The car ride wasn’t bad since they were coming from upper Delaware, only an hour and thirty minutes on the road. In no time they were unloading their cargo when a man walked up and offered to help.
“Hi, I’m Reynaldo, but most people call me Rey. Do you ladies need any help?” He stood there, 5’11” with hair dark as the witching hour, skin painted caramel, eyes brown like topaz. Prue was in the back seat looking for the tube of pomegranate lip gloss that had rolled under the passenger seat, only hearing the kind stranger’s voice. Jackie was in awe of him, feeling like his face was more than just familiar.
“No thank you, we have it under control. I can’t help but wonder if I’ve seen you before; do you live in Delaware too?”
“No, I’m from around here actually, been living here working in the casino for a few years now as a bartender in all of the clubs at the Taj Mahal.”
“Wow, what a coincidence! My friend works at Delaware Park as a bartender too. I’m a waitress there.”
“Cool. Maybe she can give me a few pointers. What’s your name?”
“Errr Jessica, yeah, Jessica, and my friend there is-“
“Got it!” Prue hollered after popping out of the back seat, lip gloss raised to the sky like a trophy. She looked at Rey. For a short moment they gazed into each other’s lust filled eyes, then came back to Earth.
“It was nice meeting you girls, have fun here in AC,” he said with smile, continuing back to the hotel.
“Well well well, someone might get to use that hot stuff in her bag after all!” Jackie said with a wink.
“Nah,” Prue said, “I couldn’t, I mean, he was beyond HOT, but…I don’t know.”
“I thought I recognized him from somewhere. I just can’t think of where I’ve seen him before. Oh well, let’s get settled in, we’ve got a lot more info to cram before the night’s over. You grabbed the intel, right?”
Prue looked away and began finger combing her hair. “Intel? Come on, speak English.”
“The folder with all the stuff on Roro? Please tell me you didn’t forget it! I barely looked over that stuff.”
Prue stopped finger combing her light brown wavy hair, her eyes bulging, and mouth hanging open.
“PRUE! Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, how are we going to do this? It’s our first mission together! I’m trying to show my dad I can do this, I’m trying to show everyone that I can do a damn good job, be a damn good agent, but I can’t do that if you don’t remember to grab the fucking shit we need to do this! I’m tired of people thinking I’m just a party girl. Oh my God, oh my God, OH MY GOD!” Jackie hollered.
Prue placed her warm hands on Jackie’s shoulders “Jackie, relax okay? I read some of the stuff, so I think we have enough to take Ro down. Relax girl, we’re on vacay!”
Jackie pushed Prue’s hands off her shoulders. It seemed like Prue didn’t get it. Jackie was tired of not being taken seriously. She wanted to live up to her potential. Prue still was stuck on having a good time all the time, even in an instance of staid action. She calmed herself, staring angrily into Prue’s faux violet eyes.
“Prue, this is our first mission together. It could be our last mission period. I’ve fucked up and so have you. Do you know why we’re even partners? Because apparently we both suck at what we do, and if it wasn’t for our dads we’d probably be shipped to Iraq or something worse, maybe dead!”
“Oh c’mon Jackie, we wouldn’t be dead.” Prue chuckled.
“It’s not funny Prue! Do you remember Henry Nordgrin? Do you really think his death was accidental? Don’t you think it was a coincidence that his car would explode two days after word got out that he was having an affair with one of his targets? Wake up! It was the agency that killed him, no one else!” Jackie was nearly out of breath, and she could hardly stand being near Prue. She couldn’t believe how immature Prue still was. She wondered how they managed to stay friends for so long. Maybe it was the booze and shrooms that kept them together so long.
Prue looked down at her French pedicure, then back up at Jackie. She couldn’t understand why Jackie had to be so straight edged all of a sudden, why she couldn’t just loosen up and enjoy herself, especially since Roana wasn’t even considered highly dangerous as an individual since she usually maintained a low profile and rarely possessed a weapon. All this fuss for nothing, Prue thought.
“Jackie, let’s just do the best we can with what we have. I know we have to work together in order to take Ro down, and there’s no use wasting energy arguing about something we can’t change. What happened to you anyway? I remember the stories you would tell me about how it was with your other partners, how you let them do most of the leg work so you could do the fun part, shooting your berretta. Why are you so serious now? What did I do? I haven’t changed but you have.”
“That’s the point Prue-you’re still the same old Prue, still thinking about what she wants to do and not what she needs to do. Still expecting everyone to clean up your mess. I just can’t do it anymore, so yeah, I’ve changed, but for the better. When will you join me?”
“Wow. Did you really just diss me like that? Damn, that’s really low, calling me a fuck up when you’ve had to get more strings pulled to stay with the agency then I have!”
“That’s because you gave a hand job to one of the bosses!”
“What? Who told you that?!”
“You did, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. So what, that happened a long time ago…”
“That happened two weeks ago!”
“So what! The point is I’m still here, live and kicking, still living my life, while you’re over there trying to be angel of the year even though you’re hiding that pitch fork behind your back!”
“I don’t deny screwing up, but I’m not trying to be perfect, just, just…”
“Just what? “
“Just…worthy I guess, not a joke. I know I shouldn’t care, but I do. I can’t help it now, especially seeing people we graduated with in the same training class getting awesome promotions while we’re just being passed around because there’s nothing else the agency can do with us. I feel like a bad kid sitting in time out. I’m tired of being in time out, I want to go out and play, just like everyone else.”
“Jackie, why didn’t you tell me this before? I thought we were close enough for you to tell me stuff like this. I understand, and I guess I’ll try and focus…but it’s so hard!”
“I know Prue, but you can do it. We can do it.” Jackie smiled. They both hugged tight and long.
“So,” Prue said, “What’s your new name?”
“Jessica.”
“You’re always Jessica.”
“It’s an easy name to remember. What’s yours? Something exotic again?”
“Yup, I will be Pashmina Bouvier!”
They both laughed. She loved Prue’s wild sense of creativity. She could never stay mad at her long.
“Well Pashmina, let’s get settled in and grab some thing munch-able.”
“Aye aye captain.”
They both carried two bags each up to their room. They had only planned to be there one night, possibly two, but they had to make it look like a week. The smallest details made the biggest difference to witnesses.
It was night fall, and the two had just finished off their evening meals of Mandarin salads and bacon burgers.
Prue was shining her silver revolver, wondering if she had ever really seen Rey before. The curiosity irked her to the point where she had to get out the room. She never forgot a face, and this guy was driving her mad.
She half grunted and half whined, “I need a drink Jackie!”
Jackie appeared from the bathroom holding a mascara wand in one hand, her tightly curled black hair streaked with copper highlights pulled into a slick afro puff on top of her head “Okay okay, settle down girl. Put the gun down first, though. What has you so rattled?” She questioned while finishing off her lashes.
“That Rey guy. Just seems like I’ve seen him somewhere before and it’s beaten me down not knowing, like the answer is in my face or something.”
“I know, I’ve been thinking about him too. Don’t let that stray from Roana though. Since we both need to evict this guy from our minds, let’s go get blasted at the casino.”
“What about focusing on the mission? Keeping our eye out for the Roro? Can’t do that wasted.”
“I know that! But like you said earlier, we gotta have some fun here, I mean, all work and no play-“
“Is like work and no pay. I know I know. Just don’t want Roro to get past us, but I guess it won’t hurt to get a little faded and gamble. Let’s roll!”
They both freshened up and headed to the Taj Mahal casino two blocks from the hotel. The lights glittered like semi precious stones and captivated like a young belly dancer. The building was absolutely awesome with a grand view of the sparkling ocean which made you feel lucky just looking at it.
The two massive golden hammered doors swallowed them, thrusting them against the fleshy masses. The place was packed with people galore. All they could see were crowds at game tables, employees scattering about, and chips of greed piling all over. The floor was carpeted with streaks of crimson, gold and black. The ceilings stood high with what appeared to be diamond encrusted chandeliers. This place definitely belonged to Donald Trump. The pair stood there, mesmerized by the glow of the crowds and flashing lights. The smell of cocktails and expensive perfumes flitted through the air.
Coming out of the trance, Jackie shouted over the conversations and slot machine screams “DO YOU SEE THE EGO BAR?”
“I THINK ITS WAY OVER TO THE LEFT!” Prue pulled out the folded map with the layout of the Taj Mahal. It reminded her of one of those ‘You Are Here’ points at the mall. She spotted the Ego Bar and Lounge on the map. She held it up to Jackie and pointed to the blue star marking the spot. They both walked closely next to each other, finally making it to a couple of plush leather bar stools.
The bar tender wore a gold vest with crimson trim and a brassy name tag that read Reynaldo. “Welcome to the Ego Bar and Lounge. May I serve you ladies our Taj Maheaven drink? It includes imported Taj Mahal beer, triple sec, gin, and organic mango juice. “
“Rey?” Prue asked, trying to make out his face within the shadows of the bar and booze pasted to the wall. She remembered Jackie mentioning that he was a bartender.
“Hello again Jessica and?”
“Pashmina. Pashmina Beauvais.”
Jackie was trying her damndest to hold back her giggling.
“So, Pashmina, are you enjoying your stay so far?” he asked politely, while looking around.
“Are you looking for someone?” Jackie asked. She remembered that course on body language at the academy, and right now Rey was appearing uncomfortable with their presence which was hinted through the finger tapping, erratic eye movement, and inability to look a person in the eye.
He stopped surveying long enough to finish the conversation. “No, just doing my job, looking out for thirsty patrons. So, what’ll it be ladies?”
“I’ll have that Taj Maheaven, what about you Pashmina? Please don’t say a margarita; I swear that’s the only drink you ever order.”
“That’s because it’s the best drink ever! But I guess I’ll be adventurous and try the Taj Maheaven. Bring it on!” She screamed. It felt good being out and about.
“Coming right up ladies, I’ll be back in a minute or two,” he said with a wink directed at Prue before spinning around and heading to the opposite end of the bar.
“Oooooh I saw that! Rey is digging you girl!” Jackie squealed silently.
“Hehe,” Prue chuckled lightly, “He seems okay in my book, though I can’t help but think he’s onto something, I mean, why would he keep looking around the lounge if he’s a bartender? Why not just look around the bar?”
“You’re right; I thought it seemed kind of weird too. It did seem like he was looking for someone in particular. Maybe his boss is out there on the dance floor, who knows.”
“Do you still remember what Ro looks like? She should be here in an hour, by then our buzzes should wear off.”
“Of course, who can forget that ugly mug? She looks like she’s wearing a mask even when it’s not Halloween.” Jackie looked away from Prue just in time to see Rey coming back with their drinks. He placed them gently in front of them, leaving Prue’s napkin open to reveal his phone number. She looked down at it, then at him with a smile asking for more than just a dance.
He leaned close to her ear, and whispered “This drink is on me. I’ll be off in another hour if you want to go somewhere and talk. That number is my cell. I’ll be waiting.” And with that, he strolled to the other end of the bar, taking and making more orders.
Prue sat there, her face lit up like the neon lights on the bar’s ceiling. She was definitely enamored with Rey and his good looks. Perhaps she would use that lingerie after all. Chances are she would never see him again considering her line of work took her everywhere; the next stop was a small town near Winnipeg. Another money launderer had to be taken down.
“Wow, are you in love already? Doesn’t take you long does it?” Jackie said before taking a long sip of her drink.
Prue practically gulped down her drink before answering. Then she said “Well, he is sooooo freakn’ hot, I mean, why wouldn’t I?” She began to giggle hysterically. The drink had set up shop in her system already.
“Uh oh, you’re trashed! This drink is pretty strong though. Never had a combo like this before. You should’ve sipped instead of downing it like a lush. My God, you’re gonna get comatose. “
“Whhhhhaaaaaattt? I’m fine, I’m fine, let’s go dance, I need to shake my ass!” Prue hollered. She was always loud when she was drunk.
Jackie laughed, then replied “Okay, you’re the boss, show me what ya got!”
They both moved onto the dance floor. Prue was wavering a bit, so Jackie had to lead her by grabbing her waist and shoulder. It was pure energy on the dance floor. People were moving like waves to the house music, sweating like they’d been hiking in New Mexico. Prue began her usual two step routine, than started grinding on some guy who came up from behind her. It was hard to make out his face with the dance area so dimly lit. Jackie kept going; doing a lot of improvised moves that involved her bobbing her head and swaying her hips frequently. It was like the strobe lights and music melted into one power source, giving life to all the people whose bodies swayed and dipped like the night would go on forever. But of course, all good things must come to an end.
It had been about an hour, but Prue and Jackie were still giving it their all on the dance floor. Jackie needed a break though and so did Prue. Their bodies were painted with sweat and other people’s drinks that had somehow managed to escape their cups. “I think we should go freshen up. We gotta get right for Roana after all. She’ll be showing up any minute now.” Jackie said between deep breaths.
“Okay, I need to water the flowers anyway” Prue said, panting from exhaustion.
The two walked slowly to the ladies room. They both parked in front of the mirrors, wiping themselves off with paper towels and splashing their faces with cold water. Prue headed for the toilet, and took care of business. Jackie followed suit.
Prue came out first, and began reapplying her violet eye shadow. After a few minutes, Jackie stood beside her, brushing copper eye shadow over her lids. Prue asked, “Mind if I go back out and and see if Rey’s off? I might spend some alone time with him.” She stopped applying her make up and looked to Jackie’s face, waiting for the answer she hoped for.
Jackie thought it over, than said “Sure, but don’t be long. We have to get moving here. Five minutes, I’m timing you. Meet me back here, okay?”
Prue beamed widely, “Sure!” She couldn’t wait to see the irresistible Rey. She raced out of the ladies room.
She made her way towards the bar, scanning it for Rey as she got closer. No one was at the bar, which seemed odd. Not even one parched soul. She moved to the middle of the bar and saw a single red rose, drink, and card. She picked up the card. It read To Pashmina, Have this drink and rose while I wrap up. I’ll be out as soon as I can, then we can take a stroll on the boardwalk. Love, Rey. She knew she shouldn’t, but she couldn’t resist having another margarita. She gulped it down.
Meanwhile, Jackie began spreading over her second coat of mascara, when a woman came out of a bathroom stall. She eyed the woman as she washed her hands next to hear. Jackie turned to face her completely. It was Roana, wearing a terrible auburn wig that screamed Orphan Annie called and she wants her hair back! which coincidentally matched her hideous pig like face.
There’s more to this story, but due to the fact that it’s currently in publication, I will not provide more. If you’d like to finish this story (and you should, it gets better!) then go purchase the e-book for only 99¢ at http://www.amazon.com/Justine-Monikue/e/B005L4JIOE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 Support the arts! :D
